Battery ignorance

Ian Aitken · Post by **Ian Aitken** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:24 pm

After struggling on with my battery on these cold Aberdeen mornings it has eventually given up the ghost, so I looked at the battery for information on a raplacement but, not speaking japanesse, got no joy. Then I trawled through the forum to see if I could find out what battery I needed and all I came up with was that I would be best to get a 105a/h. Armed with this info I headed for Halfords where there were no batteries with 105a/h written in large letters across the front. Eventually I found a member of staff who punched b-o-n-g-o into her computer (even though I said not to bother) and then looked at me blankly.

So, forgive my ignorance but what do I need to buy? Any advice would be much appreciated (by my wife who needs to go shopping - preferably before Christmas)

Thanks

Ian from Aberdeen

Post by **Ian** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:30 pm

For a start, don't go to Halfords! Find a specialist battery dealer. Tell them you want a battery, UK type 249, or EU type 068. If you can find a Motaquip dealer, then get a Motaquip VBZ44. Expect to pay around £85 to £90.

Ian Aitken · Post by **Ian Aitken** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:27 pm

Thank you - that's exactly what I wanted to know.

Ian

dreamwarrioruk · Post by **dreamwarrioruk** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:42 pm

just a thought I went to unipart and got a 700 cca 95 amp/hr battery for 28 gbp inc.
however that was will mates rates so expect to pay bout 48 gbp for the same.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:48 pm

Cripes DW that sounds ludicrously cheap. I got a 95ah from batmanuk and I think it was around £70 delivered, best price I could find after research and tips from BF folk.

dreamwarrioruk · Post by **dreamwarrioruk** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:56 pm

like i said mike it was at mates rates.

tonys · Post by **tonys** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:33 pm

This is a very timely thread as my battery died this morning on my bongo i phoned a few local motor factors and was offered a variety of batteries

1st 90amp with 540 cold crank start £65 2 year warranty
2nd 75amp 600 c c s £70 3 year warranty
3rd 90amp 700c c s £90 2 year warranty
4th 90amp 700c c s £75 2 year warranty

which would be the best as i will purchase one tommorrow?

dreamwarrioruk · Post by **dreamwarrioruk** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:45 pm

number 4
cca on a bongo is around 650

Ian Aitken · Post by **Ian Aitken** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:21 pm

Oh no now I'm confused...I did some phoning round and sourced a "UK type 249" as per Ian's initial reply...but it's costing me £100 (incl VAT). Why isn't life simple.....! Is it worth getting the more expensive one or will a cheaper one do (and is a 90amp 700 cold crank thingummy what I want to ask for) particularly as I intend trading my bongo in for a younger and more attractive model in the new year (I love her but she's getting a bit tempremental)...

kt · Post by kt » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:48 pm

This thread certainly is timely! We had our battery stolen this weekend! Buggers got in and nicked the thing!!!!

Anyhow, I'm now searching through the minefield of batteries and I've been found the following:
Motoquip VBY44 (105 a/h) @ £98 (inc VAT)
or a Banner Battery - EU Type 068 with only 60 a/h @ 76.38 inc VAT

Can anybody provide some definitive guidance? Do I really need the 95/105 a/h?

Does anybody know of any dealers in Southampton (I tried Furze and they couldn't help).

Thanks,

Mark

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:00 pm

kt wrote:This thread certainly is timely! We had our battery stolen this weekend! Buggers got in and nicked the thing!!!!

Anyhow, I'm now searching through the minefield of batteries and I've been found the following:
Motoquip VBY44 (105 a/h) @ £98 (inc VAT)
or a Banner Battery - EU Type 068 with only 60 a/h @ 76.38 inc VAT

Can anybody provide some definitive guidance? Do I really need the 95/105 a/h?

Does anybody know of any dealers in Southampton (I tried Furze and they couldn't help).

Thanks,

Mark

A 60a/h battery will struggle to start your Bongo at all, even in the summer. I have 2 60a/h batteries and they work fine, but 1 battery alone only starts it in the summer.

Post by **Bob** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:09 pm

I intend trading my bongo in for a younger and more attractive model in the new year (I love her but she's getting a bit tempremental)...[/quote]

If you buy a new battery you could always swap it into your new Bongo.

johnzbenson · Post by **johnzbenson** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:13 pm

Go to a motor factors and ask for a 105 or greater AH battery -my replacement was a for a iveco flatbed truck and is the right fit-
make sure the positive and negative pillars are in the correct orientation ( 40Plus vat!)_

Ian Aitken · Post by **Ian Aitken** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:17 pm

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, needs must and I bought the one I had sourced this morning. Possibly could have paid much less but then my Bongo now starts...life is a mixture of joys and regrets.

Bless you

Ian

tonys · Post by **tonys** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:43 pm

i phoned around lots of motor factors again today and the conclusion was that a uk type 249 90a/h 700 cold crank start is the one to go for

the guy i spoke to said the bongo is designed to run with this size of battery and fitting a a larger size then originally specified by mazda would be detrimental to other engine ancillaries such as the alternator, because the alternator would always be trying to charge the battery beyond its designed capacity

what do you think i suppose this could have merit?

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